The Reserve Bank of India issued the Reserve Bank of India (Payments Banks – Miscellaneous) Directions, 2025 under its powers granted by Sections 26A and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. These Directions, effective immediately, have been introduced after the RBI determined that they are necessary in the public interest to strengthen governance, compliance, and regulatory clarity for Payments Banks. Applicable to all Payments Banks operating in India, the framework lays out preliminary provisions, including the short title, commencement, and the scope of applicability. By issuing these Directions, the RBI aims to ensure consistent regulatory oversight and enhance operational discipline within the Payments Bank sector. The Directions serve as a part of the broader regulatory ecosystem governing these entities and signal the RBI’s continued focus on risk mitigation, consumer protection, and the orderly functioning of digital-first banking institutions.
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
RBI/DOR/2025-26/221
DOR.SOG(SPE).REC.No.140/13-04-001/2025-26 | Dated: November 28, 2025
Reserve Bank of India (Payments Banks – Miscellaneous) Directions, 2025
In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 26A and Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and all other provisions / laws enabling the Reserve Bank of India (‘RBI’) in this regard, RBI being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby issues the Directions hereinafter specified.
Chapter I – Preliminary
A. Short Title and Commencement
1. These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Payments Banks – Miscellaneous) Directions, 2025.
2. These Directions shall come into force with immediate effect.
B. Applicability
3. These Directions shall be applicable to Payments Banks (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘banks’ or ‘PBs’ and individually as a ‘bank’ or ‘PB’).
Read Full text of the Notification: https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/notification/PDFs/221MD.pdf
